In the painting world, very shiny translates to very durable. High sheen can take a lot of abuse

and a lot of scrubbing. The lower the sheen, the silkier the effect; but, like silk, scrubbing will 

damage

it.

High gloss: The most durable and easiest to clean of all paint sheens, high-gloss paint is 

hard, ultra-shiny, and light-reflecting. Think appliance-paint tough. High gloss is a good choice 

for area

that sticky fingers touch—cabinets, trim, and doors. High-gloss, however, is too much shine for 

interior walls. And like a Spandex dress, high gloss shows every bump and roll, so don’t skimp 

on prep work.  Practical application: kitchens, door and window trim

  • Durability: very high

Semi-gloss: Good for rooms where moisture, drips, and grease stains challenge walls. Also 

great for trim work that takes a lot of abuse.

  • Practical application: kitchens, bathrooms, trim, chair rails

  • Durability: high

Satin: Has a yummy luster that, despite the name, often is described as velvety. It’s easy to 

clean, making it excellent for high-traffic areas. Its biggest flaw is it reveals application flaws, such

 as roller or brush strokes. Touch-ups later can be tricky. 

  • Practical application: family rooms, foyers, hallways, kid’s bedrooms

  • Durability: high

Eggshell: Between satin and flat on the sheen (and durability) scale is eggshell, so named 

because it’s essentially a flat (no-shine) finish with little luster, like a chicken’s egg. Eggshell

 covers wall imperfections well and is a great finish for gathering spaces that don’t get a lot of 

bumps and scuffs
.
  • Practical application: dining rooms, living rooms, libraries

  • Durability: medium

Flat or matte: A friend to walls that have something to hide, flat/matte soaks up, rather than 

reflects, light. It has the most pigment and will provide the most coverage, which translates to time 

and money savings. However, it’s tough to clean without taking paint off with the grime.

  • Practical application: adult’s bedrooms and other interior rooms that won’t be roughed up by kids

  • Durability: medium-low

More fun sheen facts


  • Dark, richer paint colors have more colorant, which boosts sheen. If you don’t want a super-

  • shiny wall, step down at least one level on the sheen scale. Ditto if you’re painting a large, sun-

  • washed or imperfect wall.

  • Adding sheen also adds price: Valspar Ultra Premium eggshell costs $32, satin $33, and 

  • semi-gloss $34.